Helen Speaks

Introduction to Olive: https://helenspeaks.wordpress.com/2025/04/07/olive-framleys-magical-year/

Characters: https://helenspeaks.com/characters/

Dear Talia,

I had a strange encounter this week.

Coming back from Coastal Coffee the other night, I ended up getting turned around. I must have taken a turning too soon and what I thought was the path back to Crag Cottage took me through some woods and then there was nothing but a big old house overlooking the sea.

It was pretty dark by this point and I realised I had no idea how to get home – all I could think was that I could turn around and perhaps try to head back into town and out again. I heard the scrabblings of an animal – a dog I hoped – and then a figure appeared out of the doorway.

I thought whoever owned the house would tell me off for trespassing on their land or maybe set their dog on me, so I pulled my coat around me… and then a lady, about 50 or 60 maybe, appeared and looked me up and down. “Oh, hello,” she said. “It’s Olive, isn’t it? Are you hear to see someone?”

She looked nice enough, Talia. Frumpy cardigans, very much like most of the women who come to me for palm readings.

“No, I’m afraid I’m…” When I realised she knew who I was, I decided not to tell her I was lost! “I’m investigating a mystical spirit that darted this way, but it seems to have gone for now. Have you seen anything strange?”

She smiled indulgently. “Oh, there are plenty of strange goings-on in Barkmouth. I’m sure you’ll find it eventually. But it’s a cold night, why don’t you come in?”

I looked over at her door and I had a feeling. “Oh no, I couldn’t possibly,” I said. “Do you happen to know the way to The Crags from here?”

“Oh yes dear, it’s very simple.” And she sent me down three or four paths which meant I was home in ten minutes!

When I got in, Hatty was there. She’s the local girl that Mummy and Daddy have employed to be my housekeeper, and when I got home, she flew out the sitting room as I opened the door. “Oh Miss Framley, I was so worried! You were gone so long and…”

She went on a bit and I sent her away with reassurances, but afterwards I was sure I saw that a drawer in the kitchen had been left open. What was Hatty up to?

And the mysterious owner of Dune House, who was she? And why didn’t my coat hide me from her?

There are mysteries afoot, Talia!

Yours sincerely,

Olive.

Question: What is the first thing you do when you lose your way?

If you enjoyed this post please share it with others. You can also subscribe by adding your email to the link on the left of my homepage.

Next entry (Olive’s next letter): https://helenspeaks.com/2025/04/23/olive-framley-entry-4-23rd-april/

Next entry about Dune House: https://helenspeaks.com/2025/04/25/olive-framley-entry-5-25th-april/